Harmison available from the season start

Available from the start

By Jon Steer
March 26 2008

The ECB have announced that Steve Harmison and Phil Mustard will both be available for Durham in all forms of cricket from the start of the season. The availability of England players outside of international fixtures has become closely controlled despite the obvious need for many players to get as much competitive practice as they can.

Steve Harmison was dropped by England after the first test and Phil Mustard played no part in the test series despite being in the squad. Both will be available from Durham first game, the traditional university encounter, this year at the Riverside from the 16th April.

Paul Collingwood who played all three test matches in New Zealand won't be available until the Friends Provident Trophy match against Derbyshire on 2nd May. He should be able to play the trophy matches against Lancashire and Yorkshire on the 4th and 5th of May and the Championship match against Lancashire on the 7th. Michael Vaughan and Matthew Hoggard will be available for Durham's game against Yorkshire while James Anderson will be available for both of Durham's games against Lancashire.

The first test match of the summer is a rematch against New Zealand starting on the 15th May.

The full availability from the ECB:

Durham

Stephen Harmison: Available for all cricket from the start of the season